Sometimes it is said that the names of things do not affect what they really are. But, is this true? Are names merely an artificial and meaningless convention? How important and influential is a name? The fact is we identify very strongly with our names and they are an important part of the baggage—good or bad—that we associate with ourselves.

The same is true of names when it comes to the special meal our Lord instituted on the eve before His crucifixion. The fact is we identify very strongly with the names we use for this sacrament. The names we use or don’t use are a part of our ecclesiastical baggage—good or bad—that we associate with this special meal.

Today, we are going to discover that there are three common names in Scripture that are used for this sacrament— the Lord’s Supper, [Holy] Communion, and [Holy] Eucharist. All three names are theologically and pastorally meaningful. Therefore, we should use all three designations in order to have a fuller and richer understanding of this sacrament. All three names help us to communicate the unsearchable riches that are given to believers through faith alone in this sacrament.